Schools Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Schools Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Schools in MVSD joined the nation in celebrating National Red Ribbon Week, promoting the importance of living drug, tobacco and alcohol free lives. Throughout the week-long celebration, students took part in a variety of school events encouraging them to be drug free through daily messages, skits, fun themed days and rallies.

Red ribbons and balloons adorned the campuses and throughout the week essay contests, poster contests, wear red days, and other activities promoting the week’s theme, Your Future is Key – So Stay Drug Freewere held. Students recited the Drug Free Pledge and participated in fun themed days like “Put a Cap on Drugs Day” where students wore their favorite hats; “Tie Yourself to a Healthy Lifestyle” where students wore neck ties; “Team Up Against Drugs” at where students wore their favorite team jersey; “Turn Your Back on Drugs” where staff and students wore their shirts backwards; “I’m a Jean-ius” where blue jeans were the preferred clothing; “Sock it to Drugs Day” which encouraged students to show their commitment to being drug-free by wearing crazy socks; and “Shade Out Drugs Day” where students donned their sunglasses.

Created as a response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985, Red Ribbon Week honors Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs and serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. The first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign was organized 29 years ago by the National Family Partnership and since then the campaign has touched the lives of millions of people around the world.

Helping support the Red Ribbon Week activities, members of the El Monte Police Department visited schools throughout the District sharing the message of “Say No to Drugs!” The special assemblies featured motorcycle officers, police cars, police trucks, mounted patrol, and K-9 officers.

Addressing the students throughout MVSD, School Resource Officer, Lupe Ibarra reinforced the importance of staying away from drugs and people who do drugs.

“Officer Kiki Camarena gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting against drugs and during Red Ribbon Week we honor his memory and his commitment to the fight against drugs. By pledging to be drug, alcohol, and tobacco free and to lead a healthy and positive lifestyle you will have a great future,” said Ibarra.

She encouraged the students to keep their bodies and minds healthy by eating well, sleeping well and playing well.

A student favorite, Marbles the horse, and his Mounted Patrol Volunteer Pat Cravy, reinforced the importance of staying away from drugs and any type of drug paraphernalia.

“This is such an important topic and I love coming to the schools and talking with you all about it,” said Cravy. “Drugs can do serious harm to humans and animals. Marbles’ brain is the size of a walnut so if he ingests even a small amount of drugs he could get really sick. I want you all to make sure you keep yourselves and my partner Marbles safe by never touching drugs or anything related to drugs.”

The police assemblies ended with students joining together to recite the Drug Free Pledge, promising to stay drug, alcohol and tobacco free and afterward they were excited to get high-fives from the officers who passed out police badge stickers.

“We greatly appreciate the police department taking the time to present these assemblies to our students,” said George Schonborn, MVSD’s Director of Pupil Personnel. “Hearing about the importance of being drug free from the officers and seeing the different police vehicles, the horses and K-9 officers really makes an impact on our kids and lets them know there are many caring adults available to support them and who want them to succeed.”